MedicaidCoverageMedium impact
Medical respite care in physician's guide
Washington Apple Health·WA · Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, General Practice +1 more·Provider Alert
Effective date
Oct 14, 2022
We identified it
Jun 20, 2026
Summary
Washington State Health Care Authority now covers medical respite care (MRC) services for homeless individuals who are too ill to recover on the streets but don't need hospital care. This is retroactive to July 1, 2022, with services beginning October 14, 2022.
Action Required
Immediately: Billing team should review the updated Physician-Related/Health Care Professional Services Billing Guide dated October 14, 2022, for new MRC billing procedures and codes. Verify eligibility for homeless patients who may qualify for medical respite care services under Apple Health (Medicaid).